Investment firm Hellaby Holdings has reported an 11 per cent rise in half-year net profit.
Hellaby posted a net profit of $10.3 million for the six months to December, up from $9.82 million on the previous corresponding period.
A fully imputed interim dividend of 19c a share will be paid,up from 16c the previous December half. Annualised earnings per share were 41.9c, up from 37.7c.
Managing director David Houldsworth said the result reflected a higher level of earnings from the group's retail division, Hannahs and Rodd & Gunn, as well as the recently acquired BBQ Factory.
He said trading conditions were expected to remain positive for the rest of the financial year with full-year earnings expected to be "comfortably ahead" of last year's underlying net profit of $18.5 million.
